1. finance
2. grants, scholarships and financial aid
3. financial aid

DARTMOUTH COLLEGE
2014-2015 Financial Aid Handbook
Eligibility for Financial Aid
Your Costs
The Financial Aid Application Process and Forms
First-Year Students
Returning Students
Calendar
Application FAQs
Special Circumstances
Divorced or Separated Parents
Independent Status
Married Students
The Award
Expected Parent Contribution
Expected Student Contribution
Self-Help
Employment
Loans
Federal and State Grant Programs
Dartmouth Scholarship Assistance
Outside Scholarships
2-Term/4-Term D-Plans
What We Expect
From You
From Your Parents
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Off-Campus Programs and Transfer Terms
International Students
Satisfactory Academic Progress
Billing / Student Financial Services
Withdrawal, Suspension, and Refunds
Helpful Contact Info
The Fine Print
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Eligibility for Financial Aid at Dartmouth
Financial Aid is a general term for the many different sources (including scholarships, loans,
employment, and federal or state grants) available to help pay for your cost of attending
Dartmouth. Over half the students who are here receive some type of financial assistance,
whether from Dartmouth or other outside resources. All students are eligible to apply for
Dartmouth scholarship aid. If you are not sure whether your family will qualify, it is still worth
applying…you may be surprised. Certain factors that may change from one year to the next
(particularly the number of children in your family enrolled in college) may have a significant
impact on whether you qualify for aid.
Dartmouth’s admissions policy is “Need-Blind.” This means that applications are reviewed and
accepted based solely on a student’s qualifications, and not on his or her ability to pay. Once
the Admissions office has accepted the students it wishes to admit to Dartmouth, the Financial
Aid Office determines the student’s need, and awards financial aid accordingly. We are
committed to meeting 100% of every student’s demonstrated need, following federal and
institutional guidelines.
Dartmouth scholarships are 100% need-based; we do not offer any aid based on merit, talent, or
other criteria. Outside scholarships that are awarded based on merit or other criteria may often
be used to offset your costs.
The Financial Aid process can be complicated. This guide is intended to provide you with many
of the financial aid policies that may affect you during your time at Dartmouth, and to answer
your basic questions. Counselors and officers are available by phone, via e-mail, and in person
to discuss how these policies may apply to your individual situation.
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Your Costs
Your “Cost of Attendance” is comprised both of charges billed directly to you by Dartmouth, as
well as out-of-pocket costs that go along with attending school.
The directly-billed charges include tuition, room, board, and fees. You will be billed for these
charges about six weeks before the start of each term. First-year students who choose to
purchase their computer through the College and pick it up during Orientation week are able to
charge the cost to the student account. All students who purchase the student health plan will
also be billed for that cost, typically in the fall term. Finally, any additional costs associated with
participation in a Dartmouth LSA, FSP, or Exchange program will be billed to you and added to
your Cost of Attendance for that term.
We also tell students to expect costs for books, supplies, living expenses, and transportation,
depending where your family lives. These are out-of-pocket costs that you will incur, which
will vary according to your own needs and spending habits. We include an estimated amount
in your cost of attendance for the purposes of determining your financial aid, though your own
actual costs may vary from these amounts. For students living a considerable distance from
Dartmouth, the transportation figure in your budget is a travel allowance. This allowance is not
available to be withdrawn from your student account to purchase tickets. Should your costs be
higher than estimated, you may provide the Financial Aid Office with documentation to request
loan funding.
Your financial aid award will be based on your total Cost of Education, including both direct
and out-of-pocket costs, minus your Expected Family Contribution.
To figure out what you will owe for each term, add your directly-billed costs for that term. As
an example, for a term during the 2014-2015 academic year this might include:
Tuition:
$15,588
Fees:
$448 (first-year students have additional $170 fee in fall)
Room:
$2,762
Meal Plan:
$1,851 (first-year students have additional $220 in fall)
___________________________
$20,649
Next, subtract any aid that will credit directly into your student account. This includes
Dartmouth scholarships, federal grants, and outside scholarships, and loans (minus any
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origination fees deducted). This does not include work-study funds or other employment
earnings, which are paid to you directly on a bi-weekly basis via a paycheck or direct deposit.
The difference between your direct charges and your financial aid credits is the amount you
owe to Dartmouth, which must be covered before you can check in for a term. In addition, you
will still have out-of-pocket costs such as books, so you should always come to campus
prepared to make those purchases. While some students receive financial aid in excess of their
billed costs, creating a credit in their accounts that can be withdrawn for books and other
expenses, these funds are often not available for withdrawal at the very start of the term.
Students should come to campus prepared to cover their expenses at the start of the term until
these funds are available.
Computers:
A basic computer is mandatory for all students. (Waivers may be granted to those students who
already own one that meets all requirements.) Details about the requirement and a description
of financing options, including loans for financial aid recipients, are provided to first-year
students during the summer. In 2014-2015 the cost of the basic computer packages are $1,329.
Our policy is to only grant loans for computers in the first year – returning students
(sophomores and above) must petition the Financial Aid Office for a computer loan. Please be
aware that students with fewer than two full terms of enrollment remaining are not eligible for
loan assistance.
Group Health Insurance Plan:
All students must purchase the Group Health Insurance Plan unless they can certify to the
College’s satisfaction that they are covered by a comparable medical plan. Outpatient medical
care is included in the fee. In 2014-2015, the cost of the plan is $2,435. One-half of the cost of the
plan is automatically covered by extra scholarship assistance for those students receiving a
need-based scholarship from the College. The remaining half may be covered by more job
or loan assistance upon request. Students must request or decline the optional
loan/employment eligibility by sending an email to the Financial Aid Office. This policy applies
to all students receiving scholarship assistance from the College.
While it is our hope that all students will be able to participate fully in the life of the College,
please note that the following items are NOT components of your budget as shown above.
Dartmouth Card:
The Dartmouth Card, your student ID, is the College’s electronic money program for student
purchases of goods and services on campus. Several accounts are managed through this card.
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DA$H Discretionary Account is a pre-paid declining balance account which may be
used to cover expenses ranging from doing your laundry to attending campus events.
Administrative Account is used for administrative fees and fines. For financial aid
recipients, it is imperative that you closely monitor your Administrative Account since all
charges such as library fines and parking fees are posted on it. Balances in DA$H and the
Administrative Account are not covered by financial aid. The Administrative Account
balance plus any balance in your Discretionary Account must be paid prior to the next
term or you may not be able to check-in.
SmartChoice Dining Plans allow you to select a meal plan suitable to your needs.
Amounts charged above the three term $5,553 average are typically not included in your
budget. If your food charges do exceed your term budget, you may request additional
loan funding by visiting the Financial Aid Office.
You can get more information from http://www.dartmouth.edu/~dartcard/.
Living Off-Campus:
The budgets of all financial aid students include the costs of the average dorm room and meal
plan per term. If you decide you would like to trade dorm life for apartment life, your financial
aid budget will still be based on the same average dormitory room and meal allowance.
There may be opportunities to save money by living off-campus, especially when rents are
shared and students prepare many of their own meals. However, there is one important caveat
to apartment living - the landlord likes to be paid on time. When you live on campus, you can
use “anticipated” financial aid credits to offset your room charge for the coming term. If you
live off-campus, we cannot advance you funds to pay rent or a security deposit due prior to the
start of the term; you and your family will have to cover these costs up front.
The student will not be billed for housing when living off-campus, which reduces the amount
owed directly to Dartmouth. This subsequently frees up those funds to pay for off-campus
housing. Students living off-campus can be billed for the minimum meal plan of $935. When
the entire cost of education is being covered by outside funding, a credit will become available
after all required paperwork has been completed and the student has checked in for the term.
Refund balances can be withdrawn via D-Pay.
Dartmouth College has a Real Estate Office which lists available area apartments and rooms; the
staff of that office, located at 4 Currier Place, suite 305, are a good source of information and
advice.
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Cars:
The College charges a fee to register a car, and parking tickets are common. First-year students
are not allowed to register cars. You may not request additional aid to cover any costs associated
with car ownership, as this is not considered a necessary educational expense.
Fraternity/Sorority/Senior Society Membership:
This can be a rewarding part of the college experience for many Dartmouth students, including
financial aid recipients. Membership costs can vary considerably, and since these costs are not
considered “educational expenses,” they cannot be included in student financial aid budgets.
Some organizations subsidize or waive fees for members who cannot afford them…you’ll have
to do your research.
First-Year Trips:
First-year trips are also a positive and rewarding experience for incoming students. The
Financial Aid Office is not able to offer financial aid for these trips; however, the Dartmouth
Outing Club does have some assistance available. Students unable to meet the cost of their trip
should request aid through the DOC. They will confirm your eligibility through our office, but
will award any aid independently of the financial aid package we determine for you.
Senior Expenses:
Seniors planning to attend graduate school are justifiably concerned about paying for test fees,
admissions application fees, and extra travel expenses. We cannot include these costs in your
financial aid budget. There are some fee reduction programs to offset these expenses. Students
with a calculated federal parent contribution of $1,500 a year or lower can receive a fee
reduction from the GRE program. Students who are Pell Grant-eligible can ask a financial aid
officer to write to graduate schools requesting admissions fee waivers. The final decisions are
made by each graduate school’s admissions office. .
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The Financial Aid Application Process and Forms
First-Year Students:
All families of U.S. citizens and permanent residents applying for aid fill out the same form: the
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.ed.gov. This form employs a
federally-defined formula to determine family financial strength and ability to pay. Federal
Methodology considers gross taxable and non-taxable income, asset strength, family size, and
the number of children enrolled in post-secondary educational institutions. The FAFSA should
be filed as soon as possible after January 1, but no later than February 1. Dartmouth’s school
code is 002573.
Federal Methodology is used to determine eligibility for all federal funds, such as Federal Pell
Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG), William D. Ford
Federal Direct loans, Federal Perkins loans, and Federal Work-Study.
The FAFSA is the only form required to apply for federal financial aid. If you only wish to
submit the FAFSA to receive any federal aid you may qualify for and not be considered for
institutional aid, please notify us.
We may determine that due to certain circumstances not accounted for by the FAFSA, a family’s
financial strength is different from that reflected by the Federal Methodology calculation. We
use an Institutional Methodology and our professional judgment to determine eligibility for
Dartmouth’s scholarship funds. To gain the additional information required to analyze each
case, all first-time aid applicants must also file the CSS Profile at
http://profileonline.collegeboard.com. Early Decision applicants should file by November 1, regular
applicants by February 1. Dartmouth’s CSS code is 3351.
We will ask you to verify certain information provided on the FAFSA and CSS Profile by
providing documentation to us, which may include signed copies of your and your parents’
federal income tax returns, accompanying schedules, and W-2 forms. Based on your individual
circumstances, we may also require you to file a Noncustodial Profile and/or a Business/Farm
Supplement and business tax returns. The more complete and timely the information is, the
sooner we can begin packaging your award. We need to collect this information to determine
which types of aid we can offer.
Your confidentiality is strictly observed. With authorization from you and your family,
information you submit may be shared with other agencies and institutions providing funds for
financial aid. Information from parents in divorce situations will not be shared with the student
or between parents without express written permission.
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Returning Students:
Family circumstances change, so every year we ask that U.S. financial aid students submit an
updated FAFSA, so that any change in income level, family size, number of siblings in college,
etc. can be reflected in your award. This is requested by February 15. All returning students
who wish to apply for Dartmouth scholarship aid should submit the appropriate Renewal
Financial Aid Application as well as tax documents or requested income statements by April 1.
Your financial aid package is reviewed and modified every academic year to reflect changes in
family circumstances and/or changes in financial aid policies. As a reminder, all documents for
U.S. students are to be submitted via the College Board’s IDOC service (see specific instructions
for Canadian and international students.) Instructions will be e-mailed to you by the College
Board by the end of February. Do not send documents directly to the Financial Aid Office
unless specifically asked to do so.
Late applications (an application is considered late when any required material is not
submitted by the April 1 deadline) are subject to a $500 decrease in scholarship
eligibility, which will be replaced with loan or employment eligibility. There are no
exceptions to this policy.
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Financial Aid Calendar
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the only form required to apply for
federal financial aid. All items listed below are required to apply for institutional financial aid,
including Dartmouth scholarship funds. Please notify our office if you only wish to be
considered for federal aid.
Early Decision Applicants to the Class of 2019:
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CSS Profile filed by November 1
Noncustodial Profile, if applicable, filed by November 15
Business/Farm Supplement (if required) filed by November 15
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA, for U.S. citizens and Permanent Residents
only) filed as soon as possible after January 1, no later than February 1
If the applicant is admitted, a tentative award will be included with the admissions decision, to
be finalized in April or when all required information (including the FAFSA and 2014 tax forms
as described below) has been received.
Regular First-Year Applicants to the Class of 2019:
U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents
 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) filed as soon as possible after January 1,
no later than February 1
 CSS Profile filed by February 1
 Noncustodial Profile, if applicable, filed by February 15
 Business/Farm Supplement (if required) and/or business tax returns filed by February 1
 Signed copies of all pages and schedules of student’s and parents’ 2014 federal income
tax returns and W-2 forms filed by March 1. All information should be submitted via the
College Board’s IDOC service (instructions will be sent by the College Board in early
February.)
Canadian Applicants
 CSS Profile filed by February 1 - Noncustodial Profile, if applicable, filed by February 15
 Submit 2014 Canadian tax returns directly to our office as soon as they become available.
Include all pages and schedules. We will not accept the tax summary in lieu of the tax
return. The student’s name must appear on all documents submitted.
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International Applicants
 CSS Profile filed by February 1 - Noncustodial Profile, if applicable, filed by February 15
 Submit 2014 income tax returns (translated) directly to our office as soon as they become
available. If tax returns are not available, Dartmouth will accept signed, translated
statements from employers showing the total amount earned in calendar year 2014.
These statements should not be converted to U.S. dollars and should show any taxes
paid. The student’s name should appear on all documents submitted.
Undocumented Applicants
 CSS Profile filed by February 1 – Noncustodial Profile, if applicable, filed by February 15
 Signed copies of all pages and schedules of student’s and parents’ 2014 federal income
tax returns and W-2 forms filed by March 1. All information should be submitted via the
College Board’s IDOC service (instructions will be sent by the College Board in early
February.)
Returning Students, for the 2014-2015 Academic Year:
U. S. Citizens and Permanent Residents
 Free Application for Federal Student Aid Renewal Form filed by February 15
 Signed copies of student’s and parents’ 2014 federal income tax returns and W-2 forms
filed by April 1
 Dartmouth Financial Aid Renewal Form (will be available via Banner) filed by April 1
 If this is your first time applying for aid, please also complete the CSS Profile.
Undocumented Students
 Signed copies of student’s and parents’ 2014 federal income tax returns and W-2 forms
filed by April 1
 Dartmouth Financial Aid Renewal Form (will be available via Banner) filed by April 1
 If this is your first time applying for aid, please also complete the CSS Profile.
All information for U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents as well as Undocumented
Students should be submitted via the College Board’s IDOC Service. Everything should be
submitted in one packet unless your parents are divorced or separated. Please contact the
Financial Aid Office before submitting multiple packets.
Canadian Students – submit by April 1 to the Financial Aid Office
 Dartmouth Financial Aid Renewal Form (will be available via Banner) filed by April 1
 2014 Canadian tax returns should be submitted by April 1. Please be sure to include all
pages and schedules. We will not accept the tax summary in lieu of the tax returns. We
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recognize they are not due until May, however, if at all possible, they should be
completed to meet Dartmouth’s deadline. The student’s name and Dartmouth ID should
appear on all documents submitted.
International Students – submit by April 1 to the Financial Aid Office
 Dartmouth Financial Aid Renewal Form (will be available via Banner) filed by April 1
 Submit 2014 income tax returns (translated) directly to our office as soon as they become
available. If tax returns are not available, Dartmouth will accept signed, translated
statements from employers showing the total amount earned in calendar year 2014.
These statements should not be converted to U.S. dollars and should show any taxes
paid. The student’s name should appear on all documents submitted.
When will returning students receive their financial aid awards?
Awards for summer term enrolled students will be available prior to the summer term billing
date (assuming your file is complete by April 1).
All other awards will be available by July 1, if your file was complete by April 1. You can check
the status of your financial aid paperwork and award online in Banner.
Application FAQs:
What is a “Student Aid Report?”
When you complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you will
receive a Student Aid Report (SAR.) If you provided an email address, the SAR will be emailed to
you, otherwise it will be sent by postal mail.
You should review all of the information on your SAR, particularly any messages indicating
discrepant information. If you have questions, call 1-800-4FEDAID or the Financial Aid
Office. Electronic SARs are also received by the Financial Aid Office, and the information is
verified by comparing it with documentation in your file, such as federal tax returns,
business supplements, etc.
If a valid SAR has not been electronically received in the Financial Aid Office before the last day
of enrollment during an academic year, you will not receive any federal grant, loan, or
employment funds for that year, and we will not replace the lost anticipated resource with any
Dartmouth scholarship or loan funds.
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What is “Federal Verification”?
The U.S. Department of Education selects applications to be verified during the FAFSA
processing cycle. Students selected for verification must complete a Federal Verification Worksheet
and submit all requested documentation. Federal SEOG, Federal Pell Grants, Federal Perkins
Loans, and Federal Direct Unsubsidized/Subsidized Loans cannot be disbursed to your student
account until verification is completed. If changes need to be made to your FAFSA information,
the Financial Aid Office will make those corrections based on tax transcripts and the Federal
Verification Worksheet. If this new information changes your eligibility for federal aid, you will
receive a new financial aid award with a message detailing the reason for the change.
By federal regulation, students have until the end of the academic year (or until the end of the
last term in which you are enrolled) to complete the verification process. However, you may
not be allowed to use your “anticipated” financial aid toward your account charges if you have
not submitted required documents or completed the verification process. This can create a
check-in hold and potential administrative withdrawal. For upperclass students, in most cases
you will not receive a financial aid award until you have completed federal verification and you
will be responsible for all charges on your account.
What is draft compliance?
Federal legislation effective July 1, 1983, stipulates that all students, if required by law,
must register, or arrange to register, with Selective Service to receive federal student aid.
The requirement to register applies to males who were born on or after January 1, 1960, are
at least 18 years old, are citizens or eligible non-citizens, and are not currently on active duty in
the armed forces. When you complete, sign, and submit the FAFSA, your draft registration will
be matched with those in the national database. If there are any discrepancies, you will be
required to resolve them. Students can register or check their registration status at
www.sss.gov.
What can I do if I’m not happy with my financial aid award?
First, complete the Request for Review form which can be downloaded from our website at:
http://admissions.dartmouth.edu/financial-aid/supplemental-forms. In some cases, new or
more detailed explanations regarding the financial situation of your family will result in
adjustments to your award. It is also possible that the review process may uncover previously
unknown information and aid could actually be reduced. Decisions are reviewed by the
Financial Aid Committee, which is chaired by the Director of Financial Aid. It is our aim to give
careful consideration to a family's unique circumstances while also maintaining equity in our
treatment of all applicants. In cases where we are unable to offer an increase in scholarship aid,
we will do all that we can to advise you of loan options and/or other available alternatives.
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What happens if my family’s financial situation changes during the school year?
You and your family are expected to notify us if there are changes in family income, number
of dependents, or number of children enrolled in college. If there is an adverse change in
circumstances, we will try to respond positively. While requests for review can be submitted
at any time during the year, please note that any additional need that arises from a change in
circumstance that occurs after June 30 will be met with loan funds and not scholarship aid for
that academic year.
Can I receive financial aid when I’m not enrolled but living on campus?
Students planning to live in a residence hall during a leave term will be responsible for the room
charges and for the mandatory meal plan. Plans to pay for these charges must be made prior to
assuming occupancy of the room and charges must be paid in full by the end of the term.
Financial aid is not available to help with these charges, regardless of level of need or reasons
for needing to stay on campus.
Students eligible for Federal Work-Study funding may be eligible for leave-term Work-Study
over their leave term. Contact the Financial Aid Office for more information and to find out if
you are eligible. No other financial aid (scholarship or loans) can be awarded during a leave
term.
Does Dartmouth help students fund unpaid internships or research?
A comprehensive listing of funding opportunities is kept on the Dean of the Faculty’s website.
Funding is limited and deadlines are strictly adhered.
The link to view these funding opportunities is:
http://www.dartmouth.edu/~ugar/undergrad/other.html.
Why has my aid been reduced?
Your total financial aid from all sources can never exceed your cost of attendance. If aid from
one source is higher than anticipated, we may have to decrease your aid from another source. A
D-plan change can also retroactively reduce your aid award for prior terms. This is addressed
more fully later in the Handbook.
If you receive any federal funds, including Work-Study eligibility, the College is legally
prohibited from giving you more aid than the amount of your demonstrated need. For
example, if you receive more funding from outside scholarships than originally anticipated,
other sources of aid must be reduced so that the total award does not exceed your demonstrated
need. We will reduce your loan and work obligation and family contribution as much as
possible first before reducing your Dartmouth scholarship.
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Federal Work-Study earnings are monitored and eligibility ends when you reach the maximum
on your award letter. If you think you will earn more than the amount listed, you may talk with
a financial aid staff member about adjusting your award.
I need extra terms to graduate; will I still receive financial aid?
Since the 35 course credits required for a Dartmouth degree can be completed in 12 terms or
fewer, Dartmouth scholarship assistance is limited to the first 12 terms of enrollment.
Thirteenth terms must be financed with family resources, loan assistance, and “portable”
outside scholarships such as Federal Pell Grants and merit scholarships. Requests for an
exception to this policy must be submitted in writing to the Financial Aid Office. Those entering
with advanced class standing or as transfer students are eligible for fewer terms of Dartmouth
scholarship eligibility since they are closer to graduation upon their matriculation.
How will my aid be determined in future years?
You must remain enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student at Dartmouth to
continue receiving financial aid under any of the programs administered by the College. You
must file all required paperwork completely and in a timely fashion. Each case is evaluated for
need each year according to the policies in place for that academic year. Your Parent
Contribution will be adjusted each year to reflect changes in your family's income and
circumstances.
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Special Circumstances
Divorced & Separated Parents:
Legal agreements notwithstanding, we believe parents remain primarily responsible for their
children’s educational costs. We consider a student’s application incomplete until we receive all
the required forms from both parents (and their spouses, if remarried.)
We realize that there are many complex and sensitive situations involved, and we try to be as
helpful as we can in assisting students who are often caught in the middle. For example, if the
custodial parent has been remarried for many years and includes the applicant as a dependent
on tax returns, we may be able to determine the financial need without expecting a contribution
from the non-custodial parent.
We use the required information in order to analyze each parent’s financial situation.
Information about the earnings and assets of stepparents is required only because it helps us
understand the extent to which the biological/adoptive parent’s financial flexibility has
increased or decreased as a result of remarriage. A contribution is normally not expected from
the earnings of the non-custodial stepparent.
Completing the forms does not obligate a non-custodial parent to pay; it enables us to
assess financial need and distribute Dartmouth scholarship funds in an equitable and consistent
manner. If we are not provided with information from both parents, you may be denied college
financial aid completely. We will contact your non-custodial parent directly if you wish, and we
are available to counsel you on your options if your efforts, as well as ours, are not successful. It
should be reassuring to you, however, to know most situations can be resolved.
Independent Status / Self-Supporting Students:
If you enter Dartmouth as a dependent student, it is expected that this status will not change
and that your need for Dartmouth scholarship will be evaluated as a dependent student until
you graduate. Meeting the federal independent student definition does not change Dartmouth
standards for institutional scholarship eligibility. Only in rare cases where there are extreme
extenuating circumstances will a student's Dartmouth scholarship eligibility be evaluated
independently from his or her parents. In such cases, it is also generally expected that the
student also meets all federal tests (see below) for independent status. Only in extreme
situations will Dartmouth determine that a student is independent if he/she does not meet the
federal guidelines. This might include documented abuse, abandonment, or neglect. It is
important families are aware that dependency status changes are very uncommon.
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A parent's unwillingness to contribute to educational costs is not sufficient justification for s
astudent to be considered financially independent.
Documentation requirements:
Third party documentation of the family situation is required. This could include letters from
clergy, school counselors, social workers, and or extended family members as well as police
reports, restraining orders, and/or other court documents. Letters from attorneys and therapists
may not carry the same weight in our evaluation.
Once all appropriate documentation is submitted and reviewed, the decision of the Financial
Aid Committee/Director is final. Students wishing to discuss their situation or better
understand the documentation of extenuating circumstances required by the Financial Aid
Committee should come to the Financial Aid Office to meet with an officer.
You are considered independent for federal financial aid for the 2014-2015 award year if you
are 24 or older as of December 31, 2014. If you are under 24, you will only be considered
independent if you are:
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A graduate or professional student.
Married.
A student with legal dependents other than a spouse.
A veteran of U.S. Armed Forces.
An active duty member of the U.S. armed forces (not for training purposes)
An orphan, ward of court or in foster care at any time age 13 or older.
In legal guardianship or emancipated minor status as of the date of application or were
immediately before you reached the age of being an adult in your state.
Determined to be an unaccompanied homeless youth.
Married Students:
If you marry while enrolled as an undergraduate at Dartmouth, you will still be considered
a dependent student, and we will continue to expect a need-based contribution from your
parents when determining your Dartmouth scholarship eligibility. You will receive no more
Dartmouth scholarship assistance than you would have received as a single
student. Additionally, depending upon the circumstances, we may expect a contribution from a
working spouse in addition to a parental contribution. You will qualify as an independent
student for federal purposes in the year following your marriage. Students
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contemplating marriage should discuss the financial aid implications with a financial aid
officer. Older students who are married at the time of admission and who have been
independent prior to college enrollment will be considered “self-supporting,” although a
spousal contribution will be included as a resource, if applicable.
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Understanding Your Award
Depending on your individual circumstances, your financial aid package will consist of several
components, outlined on the following pages:
Expected Parent Contribution
Expected Student Contribution
Self-Help, consisting of:
Employment
Loans
Federal and State Grant Programs
Dartmouth Scholarship Assistance
Outside Scholarships
2-Term/4-Term D-Plans
Expected Parent Contribution
A basic principle of financial aid is that parents bear primary responsibility, to the best of their
ability, to pay for their children’s education. Need analysis seeks to measure, in an equitable
and consistent way, the combined income and asset strength of each family relative to all other
families who apply for aid.
How do parents do it? Some are able to meet this obligation from their current income and
assets. Some may need the assistance of monthly payment plans or a parent loan program.
Many students wish to lessen the burden on their parents and take on more employment or
more loans to reduce their parents’ contribution. This is possible in some cases, but federal
regulations are quite specific about the uses of federal loans and employment funds, so you’ll
need to talk to us about your options. Dartmouth discourages students from borrowing to
cover the Parent Contribution if this will increase their debt level to an unreasonable amount.
The Dartmouth Monthly Payment Plan administered by Higher One's TuitionPay division,
enables your family to pay all or part of your directly-billed expenses in ten interestfree monthly installments. The annual enrollment fee includes life insurance for the bill payer
and monthly statements. For more information, call 1-800-635-0120. Parents must enroll by the
end of August each year.
Federal Direct Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) are parent loans offered by
the federal government. The PLUS Loan lets parents borrow money to cover the costs not
already covered by the student’s financial aid package, up to the full cost of education. There is
no cumulative limit, but interest does accrue on the loan while the student is enrolled. For 2014-
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15 there is a fixed interest rate of 7.21% associated with the loan, and an additional 4.288%
charged in origination fees (4.292% for loans first disbursing on or after October 1, 2014.)
Typically, repayment begins 60 days after the funds are fully disbursed, and the repayment
term is ten years. You may also request to defer repayment until after the student graduates.
Interest will continue to accrue at 7.21% during this time. To apply or learn more about a
Federal Direct PLUS Loan go to www.StudentLoans.gov.
Home equity loans offer families the opportunity to tap the equity in their homes as an
educational resource. Loans utilizing home equity are usually tax deductible for families
filing itemized tax returns. Since the specifics of home equity loans can vary from bank to bank
(and from state to state), we recommend you consult a banker or accountant before deciding if a
home equity loan is appropriate for your family.
Other Family Loan options see the Private Loan section discussed in the Student Contribution
section of this handbook.
Expected Student Contribution
The calculation of your obligation will include a portion of your earnings and 20% of your
reported assets (the higher of the assets reported in your first year or in the current year.) You
can earn this money during the summer before you enroll, during leave terms and by working
on campus. Dartmouth’s Center for Professional Development has resources to help you find
leave-term opportunities both in the U.S. and abroad.
The minimum expected 2014-2015 contribution from student leave-term earnings is shown
below. We may require more than this amount if your reported earnings from the prior year
were unusually high. In cases where this happens, we will reduce your self-help by your excess
earnings.
Leave-term Earnings Expectations for the 2014-2015 Academic Year:
Class of:
2018
2017
2016
2015
Priors
Minimum Amount:
$2,700
$2,900
$2,950
$3,000
$3,050 (may be pro-rated for fewer than three terms of enrollment)
For a variety of reasons, many students find themselves unable to earn this much in their leave
terms. Some choose to travel or explore unpaid opportunities during those terms. Others feel
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obligated to help support their families with their earnings. Whatever the case, the leave-term
earnings expectation will not be replaced with additional scholarship funds, but in many
cases we can offer student loans or additional employment eligibility during enrolled terms to
assist you.
Self-Help
The first component determined in a student’s financial aid package is the self-help. Self-help
may include employment and/or student loans. Students with family incomes above $100,000 at
the time of matriculation will have a combination of employment and loan included in the
student’s package.
Employment:
Nearly all financial aid awards include employment eligibility. For students who qualify, the
Federal Work-Study Program (FWSP) is a program for student employment authorized by the
Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended. The Federal Work-Study grant provides a portion
of the student employment funding for both on- and off-campus positions that qualify.
The Federal Work-Study Community Service Program was established for students who have
a particular interest in employment with a local non-profit, and is also funded through the
Federal Work-Study grant.
Many part-time and full-time jobs are available each term in most areas of the College,
including the dining halls, libraries, and academic departments. Since the base pay rate is $7.75
per hour, most student employees are able to earn about $817 per term by working
approximately 11 hours per week. You can work and earn more if your schedule allows.
International and Canadian students may not work more than 20 hours per week during
enrolled terms, but they may work full-time (typically up to 40 hours per week) during periods
of non-enrollment (leave terms or term breaks.) Students needing assistance in locating a
campus job should contact the Student Employment Office, located in the Human Resources
suite (203) at Seven Lebanon Street.
To get paid, you must complete a student timesheet for each bi-weekly pay period and submit it
electronically to your employer. If this is your first job at Dartmouth, you must also complete an
I-9 Form (Employment Eligibility Verification) in order to be in compliance with federal
regulations. If you are under 18 years of age, you will either need a Youth Employment
Certification or a letter from your parent or legal guardian permitting you to work at Dartmouth.
For income tax purposes you must complete a W-4 form. You can choose to receive a bi-weekly
paycheck via Hinman mail or have your pay direct-deposited to a bank account
(recommended). All forms can be completed at the College Human Resources Office, or EIS
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(Payroll Office). International/Canadian students will have additional paperwork to be
completed with EIS.
Student Loans:
Federal Perkins Loans are need-based loans from a fund combining both federal funds and
Dartmouth funds, including the repayments of previous loans. Federal Perkins Loans are
awarded to the neediest students at Dartmouth. Federal regulations limit these loans to $5,500
per year and $27,500 for the undergraduate career. No interest accrues and no repayment
is expected while a student is enrolled in an institution of higher education at least halftime, and for nine months thereafter. Repayment of principal then begins and interest is charged
at the rate of 5%. The minimum monthly repayment is $50 and the maximum repayment period
is 10 years.
Cancellation of up to 100% of a Federal Perkins Loan can be granted for employment in certain
teaching, military, health, and social services professions. Student Financial Services has a
complete cancellation list.
Federal Direct Loans from the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program are made
directly by the federal government. These loans have a fixed interest rate set each spring for the
upcoming academic year. For need-based Federal Direct Subsidized Loans, the federal
government pays the interest until the loan goes into repayment status. The interest rate for
2014-2015 is 4.66% for undergraduates.
The Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan is available to students who may not qualify for
subsidized loans, or who may qualify for only a partial subsidized loan, and has the same
terms and conditions except that the student borrower is responsible for interest that accrues
while he/she is in school. The interest rate for the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan is 4.66%
for undergraduates. Repayment is not expected until after graduation but borrowers may
choose to pay the interest while they are enrolled.
The minimum repayment is $50 per month on both types of Federal Direct Loans. The annual
loan limits are as follows: $3,500 subsidized and $2,000 unsubsidized in the first year; $4,500
subsidized and $2,000 unsubsidized in the sophomore year; and $5,500 subsidized and $2,000
unsubsidized in the junior and senior years, less a 1.072% origination fee (1.073% for loans first
disbursing on or after October 1, 2014.) For students attending less than three terms in the final
year, Federal Direct Loans will be prorated according to the number of enrolled terms.
The cumulative maximum for an undergraduate career is $31,000, no more than $23,000 of
which can be subsidized.
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Grace Period: Once you graduate, withdraw, or attend school less than half-time your Federal
Direct Loans will enter a six-month grace period. Unless you re-enroll at an eligible school
before the end of your grace period, your Federal Direct Loan will enter repayment status. If
your D-plan includes two or more consecutive leave terms, you will have exceeded this sixmonth period and your loan will be due for repayment.
Repayment Plans: There are several different repayment plans available to Federal Direct Loan
borrowers. Information about repayment plans and repayment calculators can be found at
http://studentaid.gov/repay-loans.
Deferment Options: If, due to special circumstances, you are not able to make your monthly
payments, you may be eligible to suspend or postpone your payments for a period of time
known as deferment. The length of your deferment varies, depending upon your situation.
Forbearance Options: If you are experiencing financial hardship, but do not qualify for
deferment, your servicer may be willing to grant you a forbearance. Forbearance is a temporary
postponement or reduction of payments. Interest continues to accrue during forbearance.
For information on deferment or forbearance options, visit http://studentaid.gov/repayloans#deferment.
For information regarding your own federal student loans, including contact information for
your loan servicer, log in to the National Student Loan Data System at nslds.ed.gov.
Consequences of Default: Default occurs when a borrower persistently fails to make timely
payments on loans as required, to provide documentation, or to notify his or her servicer of
other relevant conditions. Default will seriously harm your credit rating. While in default, your
income taxes and/or wages may be withheld, along with other consequences.
Sample Repayment Schedule: You can view a standard repayment schedule and customize it
based on your anticipated yearly income at http://studentaid.gov/repay-loans#repayment-plans.
Dartmouth Educational Association (DEA) Loans are need-based loans from a fund supported
by Dartmouth alumni. Terms are similar to Federal Perkins Loan terms and will be outlined in
the promissory note.
Dartmouth Educational Loan Corporation (DELC) provides need-based loans for students who
need additional assistance beyond that available from federal or other Dartmouth loan funds.
The variable interest rate is reset annually. In 2014-2015 the rate is 6.8%. Loans are co-signed by
parents and students. Interest accrues from the date of borrowing, but payments of principal
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will not begin until three months after students have left Dartmouth. A parental credit check is
required.
Dartmouth Student Loans are loans awarded to foreign students from Dartmouth
College funds and are based solely on need. The interest rate is 7%, and the repayment terms
are comparable to those for DEA loans. V
Private Loans are another financing option. We strongly recommend that you consider a
private educational loan only after all other types of federal and institutional financing options
have been exhausted. Please meet with a financial aid officer to discuss the method of financing
that is in your best interest. Your ability to obtain private education funding is largely based on
your credit-worthiness and your current aggregate indebtedness. We suggest you consider
using a co-signer, which may help to reduce the cost of the loans and to ease the approval
process. Citizenship status is also a consideration for most programs.
If you plan on borrowing a private loan, please pay careful attention to the loan terms (interest
rates, fees, payment obligations, etc.). These terms vary widely among lenders and within loan
programs. Most private loans do not offer deferment or forbearance options if you have
difficulty repaying your loan, so check your loan documents carefully. If you experience
problems during repayment, contact your lender immediately.
Federal and State Grant Programs
Federal Pell Grants are authorized by the Education Amendments of 1972. Under this program
the federal government provides grants to students who qualify on the basis of financial need as
determined by their FAFSA. For 2014-2015, grants range from $600 to $5,730. Dartmouth’s
policy is to verify the amount of a Pell Grant when the drop/add period is over each term.
Students taking fewer than three courses each term will receive less Pell Grant for that term. In
most cases, if the student is receiving Dartmouth scholarship assistance, it will be increased to
make up the difference in Pell aid.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG) are need-based grants made
under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, from funds supplied by the
federal government. FSEOGs are allotted to the neediest students and are made without
expectation of repayment. No separate application is required.
State Grant Programs in the states of Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont
have need-based grants available for eligible undergraduate students. Application for most
state grants is through the FAFSA. As with Federal Pell and SEOG Grants, state grants are
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considered part of your overall scholarship eligibility and will replace Dartmouth scholarship
eligibility dollar-for-dollar.
Dartmouth Scholarship Assistance
General Dartmouth Scholarships
All Dartmouth scholarships are need-based and are awarded to students without expectation of
repayment. Amounts vary, but in general the scholarship award will make up the difference in
need after all components of the package have been awarded. Dartmouth scholarship is limited
to 12 terms of enrollment. Petitions for additional terms of scholarship funding may be made in
writing to the Director of Financial Aid.
Endowed Scholarships
Dartmouth has over 750 named scholarship funds, the income from which supports the
financial aid budget. Students are selected as recipients of these funds in accordance with
preferences and restrictions established by the fund donors, and using information supplied on
the online Scholarship Data Sheet. When a student is selected for an endowed scholarship, this
does not represent additional funding; rather, this simply means that the student’s financial aid
is now coming from a particular endowed fund rather than from the general scholarship pool.
Many students have the opportunity to correspond with or even meet the donors of their funds,
and can benefit from this recognition. Once awarded, an endowed scholarship will continue to
be awarded throughout the student’s undergraduate career, assuming that the student
continues to demonstrate financial need and meet any restrictions associated with that fund. In
most cases, recipients will be asked to write annual notes of thanks to the donors of their funds.
All students who are applying for Dartmouth scholarship assistance must complete the online
endowed questionnaire on an annual basis as part of their application process.
Outside Scholarships
Students who receive scholarships from external sources can use these funds to reduce the loan
and/or job portions of their financial aid packages. In some cases, outside scholarships may be
used to reduce the EFC, but never below the federally-calculated level. Because this is specific
to each individual, please contact the Financial Aid Office with questions about how an outside
scholarship will impact your award. Dartmouth scholarship is only reduced as a last resort to
avoid over awarding when all other need-based components of the award have been reduced.
Outside scholarship opportunities are plentiful but may take some research to identify. Some
good places to start are www.fastweb.com, www.finaid.org, and www.collegescholarships.org. Don’t
forget to check locally for possible scholarship opportunities as well.
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2-Term/4-Term D-Plans
Students receiving financial aid should be aware that changes to your enrollment pattern will
have an impact on your financial aid eligibility. Because the annual student income
contribution is not pro-rated by the number of terms that you are enrolled, grant aid may
increase or decrease as a result of D-plan changes.
The following is an example of how your per-term scholarship award may be affected
depending on the number of terms enrolled in an academic year. The numbers used are an
example, actual parent and student contributions and job/loan levels vary by student.
Parent Contribution: $24,000 (will be pro-rated per enrolled term)
Student Contribution: $2,850 (will NOT be pro-rated per enrolled term)
Job/Loan: $2,450 (will be pro-rated per enrolled term)
2-Term D-Plan 3-Term D-Plan (Typical) 4-Term D-Plan
Costs
$43,422
$65,133
$86,844
Parent Contribution (PC)
$16,000
$24,000
$32,000
Student Contribution (SC)
$2,850
$2,850
$2,850
Job/Loan (SH)
$1,633
$2,450
$3,267
Costs Less PC, SC and SH = Scholarship Eligibility
Scholarship Aid
$22,939
$35,833
$48,727
Per Term
$11,469
$11,944
$12,182
When you adjust your D-plan during an academic year, any adjustment to the per-term
scholarship will be retroactive to the beginning of that academic year. In the above case, if
you were originally enrolled for summer, fall, and spring, then in December decided to change
spring to a leave term, your per-term scholarship for summer and fall would be retroactively
reduced from $11,944 to $11,469 and you would have a balance due of $950 on your next
bill. This is the result of the fact that the $2,850 student contribution is not pro-rated, so your
per-term contribution is now $1,425 per term rather than $950. Similarly, an addition of a term
will typically increase your per-term scholarship for that year.
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What We Expect
From You:
• Complete all application forms accurately and submit them on time. (Keep copies.)
• Monitor your financial aid requirements on Banner Student frequently.
• Provide all documentation, verifications, and other scholarship information requested by the
Financial Aid Office or other state and federal scholarship agencies.
• Apply for any non-Dartmouth scholarships or grants for which you might be eligible.
• Report all awards you receive to the Financial Aid Office.
• Read and understand all agreements regarding loan repayments. (Keep copies.)
• Perform the work agreed upon in accepting an employment position.
• Enroll in D-Pay and monitor your student account. Enroll your parents in D-Pay if you want
them to be able to view and pay your bills.
• Share financial aid information with your parents. We do not send award letters by mail, so
you must view your financial aid award in Banner and share this information with your
parents.
• READ all messages on your award letters.
From Your Parents:
• Promptly report significant changes in your family’s income or assets, changes in the number
of dependents, or changes in the number in college. (During the fall term, we will verify the
college enrollment of other siblings, including their dependency status and their financial
aid status.)
• Provide us with all requested documentation, including signed, complete copies of
federal income tax returns and any other information needed to assess your eligibility for
federal and institutional financial aid.
• Verify actual amounts of estimated year income at the end of the tax year, if applicable.
• Meet all deadlines to the best of your ability.
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Off-Campus Programs and Transfer Terms
Off-Campus Programs: Language Study Abroad and Foreign Study
Dartmouth sponsors over 40 off-campus programs, including language and academic study
abroad. Over half of all Dartmouth students participate in at least one off-campus option. For
financial aid students, assistance is available to cover the extra cost (over and above that
calculated for a term on campus) associated with an off-campus program. For scholarship
students, that extra aid will be half Dartmouth scholarship and loan funds will be offered to
cover the other half of the additional cost as well as the employment obligation that normally
would be included in an on-campus term.
While tuition for an off-campus program is the same as in a Dartmouth term, and your family
contribution is the same, your overall directly-billed costs may be lower, as you will not be
billed for Dartmouth room and board. The Off-Campus Programs Office calculates the actual
costs of each program and charges an additional program fee for most programs. Your out-ofpocket costs will be higher than in a typical Dartmouth term, however, as you will be
purchasing your own plane ticket and in most cases, more of your own meals. The financial aid
budget for that term only covers required program costs.
Other important points to remember: Once you are officially enrolled in an off-campus
program, we will automatically adjust your financial aid award accordingly. If we offer a new
or increased College loan, you should sign the revised promissory note online when notified to
do so as soon as possible. You should plan to access Blitz, Banner and D-Pay while away to
make sure you do not miss any important deadlines and to keep track of your student account.
Exchange and Transfer Programs
Dartmouth has official exchange programs with the following institutions: The University
of California at San Diego (UCSD); The Twelve College Exchange (Amherst,
Bowdoin, Connecticut, Mount Holyoke, Smith, Trinity, Vassar, Wellesley, Wesleyan, and
Wheaton); the Williams College Mystic Seaport Program in American Maritime Studies; the
Eugene O’Neill National Theatre Institute; Morehouse College; Spelman College; McGill
University in Montreal, Canada; Keble College at Oxford, United Kingdom; Bocconi University,
Milan, Italy; Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand; Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea;
University of Copenhagen, Denmark; German Universities Exchange Program; Chinese
University of Hong Kong; and finally, Keio University and Kanda University, Tokyo, Japan.
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Consult the online Organizations, Regulations and Courses (ORC) on the Registrar’s website
or the Exchange Coordinator in the Off-Campus Programs Office for specific program
guidelines. Financial aid is available for the above named official exchange programs, though
students will receive no more scholarship assistance than they would have received for a term at
Dartmouth. Any extra costs will be covered entirely by loan.
The Off-Campus Programs Office is available to assist you with information concerning
anticipated costs for LSA/FSP’s and exchange programs.
Financial aid for transfer terms (study at colleges with which Dartmouth has no
official exchange agreements) is available in only limited circumstances, and that aid will be
solely in the form of federal assistance and “outside” scholarships which are portable. Students
must be bringing back at least two Dartmouth credits in order to be considered at least half-time
and receive federal funding. Dartmouth scholarship assistance and loans from Dartmouth are
not available for transfer terms. There is significant paperwork involved in arranging financial
aid for a transfer term, so plan ahead. Meet with a financial aid staff member for more
information. Also note that the Registrar’s Office will assess an administrative processing fee
for all transfer terms.
Dartmouth assistance is not available to International or Canadian students for transfer
terms; external funding sources must be explored. If you are considering a transfer term and
will need financial assistance, you should meet with a financial aid officer before finalizing your
plans.
For more information concerning off-campus opportunities visit the following websites:
http://ocp-prod.dartmouth.edu/ocp/prod/ and
http://www.dartmouth.edu/~reg/enrollment/studyaway/index.html.
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International Students
International students may have additional special circumstances. The Financial Aid Office will
help in any way we can.
Employment:
In order to earn the employment amount awarded per term, you will need to work 10 to 12
hours per week each term. Enrolled students may work no more than 20 hours per week.
Leave Term and Break Periods:
Many international financial aid recipients work for the College full-time during leave terms
and often for at least part of the vacation periods between terms.
Travel:
International students have a budget allowance of $1,250 in recognition of travel expenses. The
$1,250 is added to the budget and increases Dartmouth scholarship by the same amount.
Policies regarding transportation costs may be adjusted in future academic years.
This policy does not apply to students whose parents live in the U.S. or students who
receive travel funding through their government, their parents’ employers, or private
sponsors. Your family is responsible for your transportation to Dartmouth as well as your
return home after graduation.
SEVIS Fee:
If you are required to pay the $200 SEVIS fee, your award will be revised to include this cost and
Dartmouth Scholarship will be increased by $200 for fall term. This reduces the amount you
and your family will need to pay Dartmouth for fall term and represents a “reimbursement” of
the SEVIS fee. You should only have to pay this fee once during your Dartmouth career so this
is a one-time increase in your budget and will not be repeated.
Student Tax Returns:
If tax forms are filed, they must be submitted to the Financial Aid Office. Since you will be in
this country on a student visa, you may normally only be employed by the College under
current Department of Homeland Security regulations. Remember that what you earn at
Dartmouth is taxable income, so if you are employed, you will be required to file a 1040-NR tax
return.
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Parent Contributions:
The College is not able to provide increased scholarship or loan assistance to replace all or part
of the parent contribution because of currency restrictions that may exist in your country.
Leave-Term Earnings:
After the first year, you will be expected to provide a minimum of $1,250 per year from leaveterm earnings as a student contribution to your education. Your contribution may be more if
your earnings, as documented by your tax return or other forms, indicate significant income. If
you do have a good job during one of your leave terms, your contribution to your own
education should be a top priority, and you should plan to save as much as you can. (The
formula for student earnings contributions from U.S. students is 50% of net after-tax income,
with a modest allowance for living expenses.) If you are not able to earn and save this amount,
you may request loan funding.
Dartmouth Student Loans:
Since international students are not eligible for subsidized federal loans, Dartmouth provides
student loans from College funds. Nine months after cessation of enrollment in either
undergraduate or graduate study, all loans will go into repayment status and the minimum
monthly payment is $50. The interest rate is 7%. Dartmouth Student Loan repayment is
administered by the Student Financial Services Office.
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Satisfactory Academic Progress
In order to receive Title IV federal financial aid funds (Pell, SEOG, State Student Incentive
Grants, Perkins & Direct Loans as well as Work-Study employment), a student must make
satisfactory academic progress toward his or her degree. The Dartmouth degree can normally
be completed in 12 terms and four years. Special permission from the Registrar’s Office for
compelling academic reasons is required for a 13th term and beyond. Five-year patterns also
require permission in advance. Students approved for two-course enrollment terms to
accommodate a disability may take up to 18 terms or six (6) years to complete the degree
requirements. No federal funds are ever available for enrollment exceeding 150% of the normal
12 terms or 18 terms of enrollment.
Note: Since students can normally complete their degree requirements in twelve terms,
Dartmouth scholarship assistance will not be available for 13th terms and beyond except for
extreme hardship cases or cases approved for reduced tuition due to disability.
Satisfactory Progress Guidelines:

In determining eligibility for federal financial aid funds, student satisfactory progress toward
degree completion will be reviewed by the Financial Aid Office each academic year at the
end of the spring term. If a student is inactive at that time but is readmitted during the
academic year, satisfactory academic progress is reviewed upon readmission. The three
qualitative and quantitative standards outlined below are all reviewed to determine Title IV
eligibility for the academic year, and all three standards must be met:

Qualitative Standard: The Office of the Dean of the College and the Committee on
Standards review student grades each term to determine academic standing following the
Academic Action guidelines established by the faculty and published in the Dartmouth
College Student Handbook. Those guidelines specify academic actions imposed when a
student is assigned a grade of D or fails a course (i.e. receives a grade of E).
-
Students on academic risk, warning and probation at the time of the Financial Aid
Office’s annual review continue to meet qualitative standards consistent with graduation
requirements and are eligible to receive federal financial aid.
-
Students who are on continued probation at the time of the Financial Aid Office’s annual
review are not eligible for federal financial aid funds for the following academic year.
32

-
Students who were withdrawn but apply for and are granted readmission in good
standing will be considered to be making satisfactory progress at the time of readmission
(unless the student cannot pass the quantitative progression or pace tests explained
below) and will be eligible for Title IV funds.
-
Students suspended due to poor academic performance or withdrawn with prejudice
who are readmitted on probation are not eligible to receive federal financial aid funds.
-
While a student may be returned to good academic standing by the Dean and COS at the
end of any academic term, federal aid eligibility cannot be reinstated until the beginning
of the next academic year.
Quantitative Standard (Progression): To meet Dartmouth’s expectation of program
completion within five years, a student must receive at least a passing grade in one-fifth of
the degree requirements, or seven of thirty-five required courses, in each academic year. (The
seven-course academic year minimum assumes three enrolled terms.) However, first-year
students will be considered in good standing with satisfactory completion of six courses. In
these instances, the student must complete one course in the sophomore year in addition to
the normal minimum to maintain satisfactory progress.
A student with a one-term enrollment pattern during an academic year must complete onethird of the minimum, or two courses. A student with a two-term enrollment pattern during
an academic year must complete two-thirds of the minimum, or five courses. A four-term
pattern will require satisfactory completion of four-thirds of the minimum or 10 courses. If a
student has a deficiency in a yearly increment, he/she must make up the deficiency in the
next increment (the next academic year following the review) in addition to completing with
passing grades the minimum number of courses for the next increment in order to have
federal aid eligibility reinstated for the following year.

Quantitative Standard (Pace): Pace is measured by total earned credits divided by total
attempted credits. Students falling below a 67% completion percentage will lose eligibility
for Title IV financial aid funds.

Credit is awarded toward the degree for any grade of D or better, for CT (credit earned but
not graded) and for NRO (credit earned and grade assigned but not recorded per the College
Non-Recording Option policy). Students who earn grades of D, however, are subject to the
Academic Action guidelines described in the Student Handbook.

A student who stops attending all classes without formally withdrawing from the College in
accordance with the withdrawal procedures outlined in the Student Handbook will be held
33
accountable for all grades assigned for that term, and will be subject to all appropriate
academic actions in accordance with the College's Academic Action guidelines. If faculty
failure reports requested for those students who fail two or more courses in any given term
indicate that the student stopped attending all classes earlier in the term and did not
officially withdraw, under federal regulatory guidelines the student may be deemed to have
"unofficially withdrawn" for financial aid purposes as of the date all class attendance ceased
or the mid-point of the term if the last date of attendance is unknown. Federal funds are
returned to the federal government in compliance with the Return to Title IV refund and
repayment policy.
What does this mean to me?
Students who are not eligible for federal financial aid funding due to satisfactory academic
progress issues are still eligible for need-based financial aid funded by Dartmouth in the form of
employment, College loans, and Dartmouth scholarship assistance.
Students will not be eligible for Federal loans to reduce the family contribution and parents may
not borrow the PLUS Loan while a student is not making satisfactory academic progress. There
is no appeal to this policy. Limited alternative student loans are available for families in this
situation. Visit the Dartmouth alternative loan list and/or search the internet for loan options.
Other Satisfactory Progress Policies:

Transfer Credits: Courses taken and passed at or above prescribed levels at other colleges
may be transferred to Dartmouth to make up deficiencies. Approval in advance from the
Registrar’s Office is required for such course transfers. Dartmouth scholarship assistance is
not available for transfer courses. Dartmouth scholarships are available to attend one of the
recognized exchange programs.

Incomplete courses: An incomplete that causes a deficiency must be completed by the end
of the next term in addition to a normal course load, or a grade of “E” will be given and the
student may be subject to academic penalties.

Reduced Course load: Students are approved for reduced course load by requesting
consideration from Student Accessibility Services and the Registrar’s Office. Students should
meet with a financial aid counselor to discuss the number of terms of scholarship eligibility
that they can expect if given approval for ongoing two-course terms. Students approved for
a reduced course load may also qualify for reduced tuition with approval from Student
Financial Services.
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
Some federal funding is only available to full-time students. Should a student opt to take
only two courses in a term, the Pell Grant will be reduced based on federal guidelines. The
determination is made at the end of the drop/add period each term. In most cases the
reduction in Pell Grant funds will be replaced with additional Dartmouth scholarship.

After readmission following a suspension or withdrawal, aid is reinstated when the all
financial aid requirements for that year have been completed, and the student has a D-Plan
for that year. Readmitted students should check the status of their financial aid requirements
on Banner Student.
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Billing / Student Financial Services
How does the Financial Aid Office interact with Student Financial Services?
Your anticipated financial aid will appear on your online bill in D-Pay each term until it is
officially credited to your student account after check-in. If your scholarship is not reflected on
that bill, it usually means that your file is incomplete for some reason. Check Banner Student to
see what is missing from your file.
Federal Pell Grants are credited after valid Student Aid Reports (SARs) are verified. All other
outside and state scholarships are credited when the funds are received. Federal Perkins Loans
are credited only after you have signed the master promissory note on-line and checked in.
Other College loans may require additional paperwork before they are credited to your student
account. Federal Direct Loan funds are credited when money is received from the Department
of Education after all required online forms have been completed.
When you receive your bill electronically each term, you are asked to indicate any unlisted
anticipated financial aid not on the bill. Doing so can help you avoid late charges, but you will
still not be able to withdraw any cash from your account until Student Financial
Services, located in 103 McNutt Hall, actually receives the funds.
You should plan for charges which have not yet appeared on your account but for which you
will be responsible. This means that if you have not yet been charged for housing on the first
bill of the term, you should count on being charged on the second term bill.
Student Financial Services is also responsible for processing promissory notes for Federal
Perkins and institutional loans (after authorization from the Financial Aid Office), disbursing
loan funds, keeping student loan records, and collecting Federal Perkins and College loans
which are in repayment status. You will be contacted to complete the appropriate loan
paperwork online. Please do so as soon as possible after receiving the email request.
What happens if I have a credit in my student account?
If federal financial aid exceeds tuition, room, board, and other authorized charges, you are given
access to the credit within 14 days (unless you have authorized the College to hold the credit
for future expenses). Because of Dartmouth’s cost of attendance, a credit of federal funding is
likely only in the case of a student whose parents have taken a large Federal Direct PLUS Loan.
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If your total aid, including Dartmouth scholarships and outside scholarships, creates a credit
balance in your account, these funds may be available for withdrawal to help with book costs
and other educational expenses. If you are missing financial aid paperwork, your award is not
final and a credit may not be available. Refund requests are handled by the Student Financial
Services Office and via D-Pay.
My financial aid award says it includes books, travel, and miscellaneous costs. Where do I
get the money for my books and my plane ticket home?
Your award is based on the total cost of attendance at Dartmouth, which includes not only your
fixed costs billed by the College (tuition & fees, room, board) but also those additional out-ofpocket costs that every student has. Those out-of-pocket costs are covered by you, as either part
of your family contribution or your self-help aid (work-study employment and/or loans). So,
for every term at Dartmouth, you must come prepared with some funds to purchase your
books and cover your personal expenses. Paychecks that come from your campus employment
can also be used to cover those personal needs.
I can’t pay my bill or buy books; what should I do?
Contact the Financial Aid Office as soon as you anticipate having trouble paying your bill. The
sooner you are in touch with us the better. Short-term emergency loans may be available for
higher-than-expected book costs and other expenses, particularly those early in the term when
all your pending aid may not yet have posted to your account. We usually can find a way to
help, but it’s harder to do if you wait until the last day of check-in!
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Withdrawal, Suspension, and Refund Policy
Withdrawals, suspensions, resignations, and readmissions are acted on by the Dean of
the College Office under procedures defined by the Committee on Standards. These actions may
affect financial aid students in several ways. First, a student’s eligibility for federal funds may
be terminated or be at risk if the student is no longer considered to be making satisfactory
progress. Secondly, depending upon the timing of the student’s departure from Dartmouth (on
or before the fifth week of a term), a refund of college charges may be in order. Other College
policies on refunds to students who withdraw voluntarily or who are dismissed from the
College during any term are excerpted below from the Student Handbook. The federal policies
regarding the return of Title IV funds are available in the Financial Aid Office upon request.
Tuition:
Institutional tuition refunds for students who withdraw after tuition has been paid, but prior to
registration and the first day of classes, will be 100 percent of tuition and room charges. After
the beginning of classes, refunds will be calculated as follows: a refund of 90 percent for
withdrawal during the first week of the term, a refund of 75 percent for withdrawals during the
second and third weeks of the term, a refund of 50 percent for withdrawal during the fourth
week of the term, and a refund of 25 percent for withdrawal during the fifth week of the term.
No refund will be made after the fifth week of the term.
Meal Plan:
Any student who withdraws voluntarily or who is dismissed from the College during the term
shall be entitled to a refund of unused board–declining balance account (DBA) funds not to
exceed a prorated amount based on the number of weeks remaining in the term. Any service
fees attached to a dining option will not be refunded after the first week of classes.
Room Charges:
Room charges are refunded based on the day the student vacated the room. There are no
refunds after the fifth week. This policy applies to all dormitory rooms and to room rents in
College-owned fraternities and organizations.
Other Charges:
Charges for computing equipment and for the Dartmouth Student Group Health Plan (DSGHP)
are nonrefundable. Other miscellaneous fees and charges, including student activity fees and
class dues, are nonrefundable if the student withdraws after registration and the first day of
classes.
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Students who are receiving financial aid and leave the College will have the amount of their
tuition refund calculated using the institutional refund policy for all charges. Eligibility for
federal aid will be determined using the Return of Title IV funds calculation. The return of
Federal Title IV funds calculation determines the percentage of “earned” and “unearned”
federal aid. This percentage is determined by dividing the number of days completed by the
number of days in the payment period. If the student has completed more than 60 percent of the
period, all funds have been “earned,” and there is no return of federal funds. If less than 60
percent of charges were “earned,” the formula determines the amount of aid which is due to the
student as a “post-withdrawal” disbursement and the amount which must be returned to the
federal programs. Federal funds must be returned in the following order within 30 days after
the Financial Aid Office has been notified of the withdrawal date by the Dean’s Office:
Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loans, Subsidized Federal Direct Loans, Federal Perkins Loan,
Federal PLUS Loans, Federal Pell Grants, Federal SEOG, and other Title IV assistance. Contact
the Financial Aid Office for more information. Refunds, scholarship adjustments, and return of
federal funds are recorded to the student’s account and will normally be made within 30 days of
the withdrawal or dismissal. In cases of unofficial withdrawal, the effective date will be
calculated from the date of determination by the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Students.
In any instance where it is felt that individual circumstances may warrant exception to the
institutional refund policy, the student may appeal in writing to the Director of Student
Financial Services.
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Helpful Contact Info
Student Financial Services
103 McNutt
Phone 603-646-3230
Email [email protected]
Center for Professional Development (formerly Career Services)
63 South Main Street, 2nd Floor
Phone 603-646-2215
Email [email protected]
Dean of the College Office
1st Floor, Parkhurst Hall
Phone 603-646-2980
Email [email protected]
Undergraduate Deans Office
Carson Hall, Suite 125
Phone: 603-646-2243
Email [email protected]
Office of Visa and Immigration Services (OVIS)
63 South Main Street, Suite 303
Phone 603-646-3474
Email [email protected]
Off-Campus Programs
44 North College Street
Phone 603-646-1202
Email [email protected]
Health Services
5-7 Rope Ferry Road, Dick’s House
Phone: 603-650-1414
Email [email protected]
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Computer Sales and Service
001 McNutt Hall
Phone: 603-646-3249
Email [email protected]
Dartmouth Card Office
Basement, Class of 53 Commons
Phone: 603-646-3724
Email [email protected]
Office of Pluralism and Leadership (OPAL)
Carson Hall, Suite 125
Phone: 603-646-0987
Email [email protected]
Office of Institutional Diversity & Equity
304 Blunt Alumni Center
Phone: 603-646-3197
Email institutional.diversity.&[email protected]
Student Employment Office
Seven Lebanon Street, Suite 203
Phone: 603-636-2641
Email [email protected]
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The Fine Print
Notice of Nondiscrimination
Dartmouth is committed to a principal of equal opportunity for all its students, faculty, employees, and
applicants for admission and employment. For that reason Dartmouth prohibits discrimination on the
basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability or status as a disabled
or Vietnam era veteran in its programs, organizations, and conditions of employment. Any person
having inquiries or complaints concerning Dartmouth’s compliance with the regulations implementing
Title VI (race, color, national origin), Title IX (sex equity), the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, or with
any other basis for nondiscrimination is directed to contact Evelynn Ellis, Vice President for Institutional
Diversity and Equity, 304 Blunt Alumni Center, Hanover, NH 03755, (603) 646-3197.
Ward Newmeyer, Disability (Section 504) Coordinator, 6 College Hall, Hanover, NH (603) 646-2014 has
been designated by Dartmouth to coordinate the institution’s efforts to comply with the regulations
implementing section 504 (disability).
Any person may also contact the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education,
Washington, DC 20202, or the Director, U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, Region
One, Boston, MA 02109, regarding the institution’s compliance with the regulations implementing Title
VI, 34 C.F.R. Part 106; Age Discrimination Act of 1975, 45 C.F.R. Part 90; or Section 504, 34 C.F.R. Part
104.
The Financial Aid Policies contained in this Handbook are accurate for the 2014 – 2015
academic year. However, Dartmouth reserves the right to make from time to time such changes
in its operations, programs, and activities as the Trustees, faculty, and Officers consider
appropriate and in the best interests of the Dartmouth Community.
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